For Giants fans at least, Sunday's Week 14 34-0 dismantling by the Falcons was a foundation-shaker.

This team, which had made an irritating habit of not playing to its potential until its back was against the wall, has forged beyond irritating its fans, with a spectacular failure in just that kind of game. The result is a three-team logjam atop a weak NFC East. With the Redskins holding tie-breakers at the moment, if the season ended today, last year's NFL champs would be out of the playoffs.

But there is still plenty of hope. The Star-Ledger's Jenny Vrentas has confirmed this morning with NFL officials that if the Giants win out in their final two games - next Sunday at Baltimore and the following Sunday hosting Philly - the Giants are guaranteed a playoff spot.

The Giants control their own destiny. What will they do with that destiny? Next week, they visit a Ravens squad that has clinched a playoff bid but that's coming off three straight losses, including a spanking of their own yesterday.

Who's more desperate in a Ravens-Giants matchup? The week later, Philly comes in reeking of a horrible season, with perhaps nothing better toplay for than knocking a hated rival out of the playoffs in what's likely their long-time coach's last game at the helm.